Selective signaling system.



A. E. LUNDiLL.

SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM.

AP?L\CAT\0N FILED SEPT-25' 1915M Patented Oct. 30, 1917.

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V A. E. LUNDELL.

' SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATHJH FILED szrnzs. 1915.

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SELECTIVE SIGNAUNG SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED saw-2s. 1915.

1,244,998. Patented Oct. 30, 1917.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

SELECTIVE sIGNaL NG SYSTEM.

Patented Oct. 30, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBEN E. LUNDELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of Bronx and State of New York, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Selective Signaling Systems, of which/the, following is a full, clear, concise,.and exact description. I

This invention relates to, selective signaling systems, and more particularly to partyline telephoneexchange systems. H I

It is-the object of this invention to provide a selective signaling system in wlnch signaling current sent to a station may be intercepted for actuating a special signal.-

, According to the main feature of this invention, means such as polarized or alternat ing current relays are provided for actuating a special signal at an attendants position in response to the signaling of oneor all stations associated with a telephone line, if one or all the stations are permanently disconnected or are transferred from one line to another line, the numberof said alternating current or polarized relays being less than that of the stations. While the invention is disclosed as applied to a four party line system, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is equally well adaptable to selective signaling systems of widely varying character.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents diagrammatically a calling substation, and an operators cord circuit and calling device; in Fig. 2 there are shown, diagrammatically, selector switches used invthe establishment of a connection to a party telephone line; and Fig. 3 represents a signaling apparatus for an attendant to indicate the existence of an intercepted call. w

The disclosure ofthe telephone system is simplified as the means used for the establishment of a connection or the automatic selection of characteristic signaling currents is well-known in the art and has no hearing on the present invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description and. the appended claims. I

The subscriber located at substation 100 desiring to obtain a connection with one of the parties, e. g. 200 of a four party telephone line, removes his receiver from the switchhook for causing the displaying of a signal 101 in the well-known mannen, An

operator inserts thereupon an answering plug 102-into an answering spring Jack 103 for extinguishing signal 101 and for taking the orders of the calling subscriber. She then sets up the number of the desired party line ona well-known revertive impulse sender 104 for controlling selector switches 105,201 and 202 to select the desired line. Asequence switch (not shown) associated with the selector 105 controls sequence switch Springs 1 06, 107 and 108. During the setting'of the selectors this sequence switch is in position 11, and the extent of travelv of the selector switches is controlled by the successive opening andclosure of a contact 109 provided in a controlling circuit. at sender10=l, and a stepping relay110 controls the stepping of the sender in accordance with impulses sent from the switches back to thesender. As suchselector switches and their circuit, arrangements are well known in the art and as they do not form a part of. the present invention, their detailed descriptiondoes not seem necessary. Sequence switch spring 108 controls the holding of the selected trunk during conversation. After,

the selector switches have been set, the top contacts of the sequence switch springs 106 and 107 are closed for extending the calling to the called line. a

The selection of the proper ringing current takes place now. Contacts 203 and 204:

of a sequence or side switch (not shown), associated with and controlling selector 201, are set into their second position, and further, a relay 205 becomes energized. A circuit is closed from ground, through the armature and front contact of relay 205, and the winding of relays 206 and 207 to grounded battery. Only relay 207 becomes energized, a shunt being closed around the winding of relay 206. Relay 207 closes the ringing circuit for station 200 from ground through Contact spring 203, the upper front contact and armature of relay 207, wiper 208 of connector 202, line conductor 209, the substation 200, lineconductor 210, brush 211 of connector 202, the lower armature and front contact of relay 207, sequence switch spring 204, conductor 212, the left-hand winding of a relay 213 and a positive superimposed on alternating ringing current source 214, to ground. Upon the removal of the receiver at the called station, relay 213 becomes ener gized, opens at its front contact the shunt around the winding of relay 206 which then becomes energized, short-circuits relay 207 and closes a locking circuit for itself.

.lt connection is desired to substation 220, sequence switch springs 203 and 20 are moved into their third position, in which case the ringing circuit of the called station is closed through the rightliand winding of relay 213 and a negative superimposed on alternating ringing current source 221 for applying acharacteristic ringing current for station "2-0. If station 222 is desired, sequence switch springs 203 and 204: are moved into their fourth position, and the ringing currentsource 21% is connected through sequence switch spring 203 to the line conductor 209, and ground is connected through sequence 5 itch spring 20% to the line conductor 210 for ringing this station. It station is desired, sequence switch springs 203 and 204. are moved into their fifth position for connecting ground to the inc conductor 210 and ringing current source 221. to line conductor 209.'

it one or a plurality of these stations 200, 220, and 223 are disconnected from this party-line and associated with another line, it is desirable to extend the incoming call to an operators position 300 in order that this operator may inform the calling party of the new number of the desired party.

There is shown in Fig. 3 an arrangement for taking care of the signaling to the operator of the existance of such intercepted call. As has been described, the various stations associated with the same party line may be selectively rung. To ring station 200, positive superimposed on alternating current is impressed upon conductor 210; for station 220, negative superimposed on alternating current is applied connected to line conductor 210; for station 222, positive superimposed on alternating current is applied to line conductor 209, and for ringing station 223, negative superimposed on alternating current is applied to line conductor 209. The apparatus shown in 3 may be wired in such a manner that a ringing current sent to any of these substations may be intercepted to signal. an operator positioned at 300.

It station 200 is disconnected, the M wiring is used, 0., wires M are installed to interconnect terminal points 301, 302 and 303, 301 respectively. I station 220 is disconnected, the N wiring used, 25. 6., wires 1? are installed to interconnect terminal points301, 30 and 302, 303 respectively. If both these stations are disconnected, ll wiring used, 0., wire W' is installed to connect conductor 315 with terminal point 301. In the same manner. it s connected X wir' lg, if stat-1 Y wiring,

t both these latter mentioned stations ..-connected Z wiring is used.

" 011 222 is dis relay 311, conductor 312, line conductor 210, or brush 211, lower armature and a t contact of relay 207, sequence switch '1g 20%, the left-hand winding of relay and j current source 214, to ground. Relay 1; closes acircuit from ground through its front contact and armature, wire M, the windings of polarized relay 313, wire M,

stance 31 1, and then in parallel with re- 3111 to ground through current source Relay 313. becomes energized and closes a. circuit from ground through "its armature and frojnt'contact, conductor 315, the winding of relay 316, the baclrcontact and armature of relay 317, lamp 318, and the winding of relay 319 to grounded battery. Lamp 318 is lighted and relay 319 closes a circuit for operating a hell 320 to call the attention the operator to the factthat an intcrce iited call has to be answered. Relay 316 closes a circuit from grounded bat tery through conductors 312 and 210, brush 211 of selector 202, lower armature and front contact of relay 207, sequence switch spring 20%, conductor 212,1eft-hand winding of relay 213, current source 211 to ground for energizing relay 213. Relay 213 causes thedeenergization of relay 20'. in the above described manner. Upon the reaction of relay 207, the circuit of relay 27.3 is opened an: this relay :1 gain becomes ceenergized. The o orator at position 300 inserts a plug i a spring jack and depresses a listening key exteudiu her telephone set to the calling incoming line. Belay 317 is ener ized by a circuit from battery, through the winding of this relay, the sleeve and through a resistance 32% to ground. Relay 31? opens the circuit of lamp 313 and relay 319, which in turn disconnects bell 320. The operator inquires now which station was wanted and gives the necessary indications for extending the calling subscribers line the desired station.

Ringing current applied to the called line for signaling station 220 will not actuate signals 318 and 320, due to the fact that polarizcdrelay 313 does not become energized iii negative superimposed on alternatcurrent flows through its lower and up windings to ground. it, however, sta- 'on 220 is disconnected and the apparatus Fig. 3 is wired in accordance with N wirthe negative superimposed on alternat- 1 "out source 221 is connected through he upper and-lower *indings of to ground.

wire 1 the winding of an alternating current positive superimposed on alternat- 0 spring jack 32 and plug 321, V

This becomes pm 'n. 11 eneigi e and causes the clsplaymg or the signals at the operatorsposition. Relay 311 responds to currents. supplied to its winding from bothsources Ql l and If both stationsQOO and 220 are disconnected, the apparatus is wired in accordance with W, and therefore, upon the energization of relay all, relays 31(3 and 31S) and lamp will immediately become energized for causing the signaling of the operator.

If station is disconnected, upon the ringing of this station the signalingof the operator is accomplished in substantially the same manner as above described. An alternating current relay 330 becomes energized for causing the closure of a circuit from ground through its frontcontact and armature, wire X, and the windings'of polarized relay 331, wire X, resistance 332, conductor 333, line conductor 209, brush 208, the upper armature and front contact of relay 207, sequence switch spring 203, the left-hand winding of relay 213, and the current source 21%, to ground. Polarized relay 331 becomes energized and closes an energizing circuit for relays 33st, 319 and lamp 318 for signaling the operator at position 300. Ringing current impressed upon the lines 209, 210 for signaling station 223 will not alfect polarized relay 331 unless the apparatus is wired in accordance with Y. If both stations 29-2, 223 are disconnected, the Z wiring is used and thus signals 318 and 320 are operated under the control of relay 330. The operator at station 300 and the calling subscriber are supplied with current through the armatures and front contacts of relays 316 or 334.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telephone system, a multi-party telephone line including a metallic conductor, a plurality of sources of ringing current each of a dilferent character, means for selectively applying said currents to said line, a relay responsive to any of said ringing currents connected to said conductor, a relay controlled by said first relay, a signal controlled by said second relay, and means controlled by said second relay for controlling the flow of said ringing currents.

2. In a telephone system, a multi-party telephone line comprising two metallic conductors, a plurality of sources of ringing current each of a different character, means for selectively applying said currents to said line, a relay responsive to any of said ring ing currents connected to a single one of said conductors of said line, a relay responsive to a particular one of said currents connected to the same conductor and controlled by said first relay, a signal controlled by said second relay, and means controlled by said second relay for controlling the flow of said ringing currents.

3. In a telephone system, a multi-party telephone line comprising two metallic conductors, a plu'ality of sources of ringing current each of a different character, means for selectively applyin said current to said line, a relay responsive to any character of ringing current connected to a single one or m said conductors, a relay responsive to a particular one, of said ringing currents connected to the same side of said line and controlled by said first-relay, a third relay controlled .by said second relay, a locking circuit for said third relay, a signal: in circuit with said third relay, and means controlled by said third relay for controlling the flow of said ringing currents.

%l-. In a telephone system, a multi-party telephone line comprising two metallic conductors, a plurality of sources of ringing current each of a different character, means for selectively applying said currents to said line, a relay responsive to any character of ringing current connected to a single one of said conductors, a relay responsive to a particular one of said ringing currents connected to the same conductor of said line and controlled by said first relay, a third relay controlled by said second relay, a locking circuit for said third relay, means controlled by said third relay for applying a characteristic electrical potential tosaid conductor, and means responsive to the application of said potential for controlling the flow of said ringing currents.

In a telephone system, a multiparty telephone line, two sources of ringing current of difiercnt character, an electromagnetic means operable by current from a sin gle one of said sources of current, means operable by current from both of said sources of current for associating said electromagnetic means with said line, and a signal controlled by said electromagnetic means.

6. In a telephone system, a line, a. plurality of substations on said line, a signaling device at each of said substations, a variably operable signaling means for selectively operating said signaling devices, two relays connected one to each side of said line and each responsive to all currents applied to its side of said line, two relays controlled one by each of said first relays respectively and connected one to each side of said line, each of said last mentioned two relays being responsive to a particular current, and a signal controlled by either of said second relays.

7. In a telephone system, a line, a plurality of sources of different signaling current adapted for selective association with said line, a relay connected to said line responsive to a particular one of said currents, said relay being connected in a normally 125 open circuit, means responsive to any of said currents for closing said circuit, and a signal controlled by said relay.

8. In a telephone system, a line, a source of signaling current, means for variably as- 1 sociating said source of current with the limbs of said line, relay associated with said line and responsive to signaling current flowing in one direction, a circuit for said relay, means responsive to signaling current flowing in either direction for controlling said circuit, and a signal controlled by said relay.

9. In a. telephone system, a line, a plurality of telephone stations bridged across said line, a polarized magnet at each of said sta tions, the magnets at two stations being connected between ground and one side of said line, and the magnets at the other stations between ground and the other side of said line, two current sources, one producing negative superimposed on alternating current and the other positive superimposed on alternating current, means for variably associating said current sources and ground with one or the other sides of said line, an alternating current relay connected between ground and one side of said line, another alternating current relay connected between ground and the other side of said line, a grounded front contact for each of said relays, a polarized relay connected between the armature of one of said alternating current relays and one side of said line, another polarized relay connected between the armature of the other alternating current relay and the other side of said line, and a signal controllable in response to the actuation of any one of said relays.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of September A. D.

ALBEN E. LUNDELL.

topics of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingithe Commissioner of Eatents,

Washington, D. C. 

